Parents question Richmond schools' athletics policy

Two families and one Hub Etchison Youth Football League coach brought their concerns about a policy regarding extra-curricular activities to the Richmond Community Schools board Wednesday evening.

Policy No. 2265 prohibits the participation in extra-curricular activities, including sports, by students who are enrolled in a noncorporation school, even if they live within the Richmond school district.

However, a student living within the district who is enrolled in a noncorporation school may participate in extra-curricular activities, including sports, if he or she takes at least three courses from Richmond schools with approval of the superintendent.

Two parents — Rick Fletcher and Tracey Jellison — said their sons, both students at Community Christian School, were told by the athletic director and coaches in Richmond schools that they could participate in intermediate school athletics this year. Both families live within the Richmond school district.

Each family then received notice Monday that under the policy, the boys could not play.

Fletcher's son Nathan, an eighth-grader, has been practicing and playing with Richmond's intermediate school football team since July 7.

Jellison's son Jonathan, a seventh-grader, was scheduled to being practice with Richmond's intermediate school swim team Monday afternoon. He is a diver and there are no other divers currently on the team.

Each parent requested the board provide waivers to allow the boys to compete in sports this year and they advocated an eventual change of the policy for intermediate school sports.

Fletcher, the first to speak during the board's public commentary session, said there are obvious advantages for his family if the policy is changed.

He pointed out there also are advantages to the school district. Fletcher said his older children have proceeded from Community Christian to another high school in the county, taking their state funding with them.

"Our son was headed that way for next year. But just by him participating in the eighth-grade (football) program opened our eyes to him going here," Fletcher said. "Before we started this, it was not a consideration for us and it was probably going to happen."

Fletcher said he wasn't aware of the extra-curricular policy until two days ago when the family received notice that Nathan could no longer play football for Richmond.

Brett Guiley, a coach with the Hub Etchison Youth Football League, told the board the policy needed to change, particularly for football, because the youth program ends at sixth grade and there is no other football program for intermediate school students in Richmond who attend private schools.

"I want you not to say no to these children, to find a solution that's acceptable," Guiley said.

Jellison said her older daughter is a Richmond High School graduate, but many private school parents she knows think RHS is "a scary place."

Jellison said that she sought to help her son, Jonathan, make the eventual transition from Community Christian to Richmond High School by participating in the intermediate school swim program.

She said the family and the coach thought they had done their due diligence until the policy was brought to their notice Monday.

"We feel like a commitment was made to us," Jellison said.

After hearing the comments, Superintendent Allen Bourff told the speakers they would receive a personal response to their requests.

Bourff said that in the past the district and the board has upheld its policy, denying sports participation to private school students. Any past sports participation by students enrolled in private schools was done without the board's knowledge, he said.

He said the recent reiteration of the policy was part of actions taken as the district changed athletic directors. It was during Wednesday's meeting that the board approved hiring new athletic director Frank Carr.

According to the online version of the Richmond Community Schools Bylaws and Polices, the policy was adopted in June 2010.

"We have not had any discussion at the board level of this policy," Bourff said. "They (the board) have not discussed it in years. It's not on our agenda (tonight)."

Bourff said after the meeting the board might review and discuss the policy as soon as the next meeting, which is at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10.

"I don't know what direction this conversation or discussion will take," Bourff said. "I know they want their children to have this experience."

Outside the meeting, Rick and Tamara Fletcher and Jellison said their concern is that while the board considers approving waivers or making changes, the football and swim seasons will slip away without their sons being able to participate.

"We were told (yes) by what we thought were the proper people," Fletcher said. "Is it fair to a 13-year-old boy?"

Fletcher said he offered his son the chance to transfer to Richmond schools so that he could play football, but Nathan wants to finish his schooling at Community Christian where he has attended for many years.

"I'm disappointed," Nathan said. "It is what it is. It's their call, but I wish it was different."

Jonathan Jellison also wishes the situation was different.

"I feel disappointed in Richmond. We're kids. We should be able to play on their teams," Jonathan said.

Fletcher said that while his son may not get to play intermediate school football this year at Richmond, he hopes that by speaking out about the policy that they can help future football players and athletes.

Richmond intermediate school assistant football coaches Vincent Allen and Robert Hooks attended the meeting to show support for the Fletcher family, but did not speak during the meeting.

Later, Allen said, "We don't want to see any kid denied an opportunity."

"I think until they make a decision, the kids should play," Hooks said. "I'm all about the kids."

Richmond Community Schools Bylaws and Polices

No. 2265: Enrollment of private school students (including home school students)

The Board of School Trustees encourages the full-time enrollment of all school-age children with residence in this corporation in public schools so that they may enjoy the benefits of a well-planned educational program and the socialization possible in a group environment.

Students may transfer from a non-accredited private school (including home school) into the Corporation's schools in accordance with Board Policy 5463 — Credits from Non-Public Schools/Home Schools and the administrative guidelines associated with that policy.

Academic Enrollment

A student who is enrolled in a noncorporation school, public or private, accredited or nonacccredited, but who is a legal resident of the corporation may enroll in one or more academic courses with the approval of the superintendent. Such enrollments will be submitted to the Indiana Department of Education for fiscal purposes only.

Transportation, book rental charges, and any fees are the responsibility of the parent.

Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Participation

A student who is enrolled in a noncorporation school, whether such school is public or private, accredited or non-accredited, but taking three (3) or more courses at a corporation school, may participate in one or more of the corporation's co-curricular or extra-curricular activities providing s/he meets the eligibility criteria established for the activity, and providing that space is available after all corporation students who wish to participate have been accommodated, and providing that IHSAA and other regulatory agencies permit such participation. If a co-curricular activity is required for a grade in a particular course, a student enrolled in fewer than three (3) courses is eligible to participate. Transportation and any related fees are the responsibility of the parent.